A Case of Congenital Left Internal Carotid Artery Defect Associated with Partial Epilepsy

Abstract

A 12-year-old boy with absence of the left internal carotid artery associated with localization-related epilepsy is described. Few pediatric cases of internal carotid artery defect with epilepsy have been reported. The patient was born after an uncomplicated pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Past history was noncontributory. A pediatric neurologist was consulted when he developed recurrent seizures while watching TV. The EEG findings included paroxysmal discharges on the right centro-temporal and occipital areas. There was no flow void image of the cavernous sinus portion of the left internal carotid artery on MRI. MR angiography revealed absence of the left internal carotid artery. The reason for the epileptic focus being observed on the side opposite of the artery defect is unknown.